Control4 And Cisco…Partnering for our Future..These Guys Are Not Sleeping!

Just announced was the partnership between Cisco and Control4. Below is the official press release but I would like to ponder this partnership for a moment. A couple of things immediately come to mind with this partnership.

The first things is a mention of integrating the Control4 platform into the Special Delivery Platform. What could this mean? Will we see Control4 directly implemented into newly commercialized devices like Telepresence? This could definite be interesting as Control4 moves into their dream of becoming the home OS and possibly going further into becoming a global OS.

Cisco Branded Control4 gear? Seriously? Could this lead to improved network hardware and capability in Control4 devices? Could this mean things like device auto discovery when pairing Control4 devices on a Cisco network? I mean obviously this is a match made in heaven as Control4 needs a good network backbone but I doubt they could’ve done any better than partnering with Cisco.

So Control4 will become a key member in Cisco’s Smart Connected Communities? Could this be a mishmash of the to companies gear to fill in the voids that each have to offer a complete solution? I would say that is for sure. Each company has deployment specific and feature specific devices and software. But each company has gaps that keep them from being a total solution. So for years integration firms have had to find 3rd party device to create a custom solution. This step might allow integrators from residential, commercial, and community planners to be able to offer a turn key solution.

Home Energy Management. This is a no brainer. Control4 has made leaps and bounds in this field in the last few years. But what is attractive about going further into it with Cisco? Who do you think is already implemented as the network backbone for most of these Energy Providers? With Control4 able to have this leverage on the power providers I think we may see true energy management a lot sooner than we all expected.

So what else is going on that isn’t said in this press release? 4sight and remote services being migrated to Cisco’s Cloud Computing? That would be amazing and a service improvement for sure. I mean that could go so far as Cloud Security Services, System Backup’s on the cloud, cloud based media distribution, “and the biggest read between the lines idea” Cloud Connected Communities!
What other dreams could come of this? Cisco Umi from a 7″ touchscreen? Could we see Control4 and Cisco move together into aging technology and healthcare?
All assumptions aside I don’t think a lot of people realize how big a move this is for Control4. I mean they just partnered with one of the most trusted and recognizable companies in technology in just about every industry in the world. I hope to see big things from this. Take a peak at the full press release below.

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb 15, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, today announced that it has signed a strategic agreement with Cisco to deliver network-enabled automation platforms for connected smart communities and home energy deployments around the world.

Cisco is leading an investment in Control4, and the collaboration between the two companies includes the integration of Control4(R) technology into Cisco’s Service Delivery Platform (SDP) and the introduction of Cisco-branded Control4(R) products. Additionally Control4 will become a key member of Cisco’s ecosystem in delivering specialized applications to meet the needs of Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities and utility customers and deliver on the vision of Smart+Connected Communities and Cisco’s Home Energy Management Solution.

“Both Cisco and Control4 share a vision of delivering a connected world where we all lead better and simpler lives,” said Control4 chief executive officer Will West. “The integration of Control4’s operating system is a key component of the value proposition for Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities vision to use the network as the platform to build smart, green and connected communities around the world and helps bring the benefits of automation and control to potentially millions. This relationship is a great validation of our licensing strategy and will accelerate our international growth and reach with consumers, businesses and utilities.” “Cisco envisions a future where successful communities and cities will run on networked information enabling economic, social and environmental sustainability for citizens,” said Wim Elfrink, chief globalisation officer and executive vice president, Cisco Services. “Cisco’s collaboration with Control4 will offer our customers the network as the platform to transform and manage their properties, enhance economic development and city management, and improve energy management and citizens’ quality of life.” Smart+Connected Communities projects will provide tenants of these communities the ability to automate and control lighting, temperature, entertainment, communication, security and energy use. Cisco is enabling an end-to-end, highly-secure Smart Grid communications infrastructure that will help utilities, businesses and consumers better manage and reduce energy consumption. The Cisco Home Energy Management Solution empowers consumers to effectively conserve and mange household energy consumption.

Cisco will integrate the award-winning Control4(R) EMS 100 as an element of its comprehensive offering to global utility customers in the growing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) space. The Cisco-branded solution builds on Cisco’s sustainability platform to utilize the network to increase energy efficiency, create new tools for ‘energy-aware’ city management, and enable customers to make decisions on energy that can help reduce costs, increase reliability, and benefit the environment.

The Control4(R) EMS 100 is a bundled solution comprised of an EC-100 energy controller, a 4.7″ touch-screen with full color interface that provides feedback on electricity consumption and costs, Control4(R) ADVANTAGE software, and a WT-100 ZigBee wireless thermostat. The EMS 100 solution provides customers of utilities with information about their energy use and the ability to react to demand response event signals during peak load periods. The Control4(R) EMS 100 platform has been selected by NV Energy, AEP, OG&E, and other leading utilities to connect consumers to the smart grid.

For more information on Control4, please visit www.control4.com.

Copyright(C) 2011 Control4 Corporation. All rights reserved. Control4 and the Control4 logo are registered of Control4 Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other names or brands may be claimed as the property of others.